Ski race game

ABSTRACT

A game having a plurality of playing elements which are a representation of a human figure carried by a pair of elongated skis. Each of the skis has a pair of wheels disposed along the axis of the skis and in aligned relationship thereto, with one of the skis being substantially heavier than the other of said skis. A game board is provided having a first playing surface disposed in a substantially horizontal plane and a second playing surface which is inclined thereto, and said second surface having a plurality of serpentine tracks thereon, whereby the skiing figures selectively race down the serpentine tracks on the inclined surface.

[ 1 Dec. 16, 1975 United States Patent 11 1 Nacci 2,402,949 7/1946 Carmichael..........................,46/24] 3,658,333 4/1972 Carcel....................,........,. 273/86 C Valentine Nacci, Richmond Hill, NY.

E M A G m m m I mm MM UU Primary Examiner-Ant0n O. Oechsle [73] Assignee: Lawrence Peska Associates, Inc.,

New York, NY. a part interest July 18, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT A game having a plurality of playing elements which [22] Filed:

[21] Appl. No.: 489,569

are a representation of a human figure carried by a pair of elongated skis. Each of the skis has a pair of wheels disposed along the axis of the skis and in [52] US. 273/86 C; 46/242; 273/1 M;

aligned relationship thereto, with one of the skis being substantially heavier than the other of said skis. A

game board is provided having a first playing surface disposed in a substantially horizontal plane and a sec- 2 2 O0 MOM 51 l. 1 M4 31m 6 6 A 68 M88 9B5 6 F2 3 .5 6 "n m2 mh c r "a e S 2 0 d Ld mm 11] 00 55 ll [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,424,659 8/1922 Linder 272/565 ss ux 2 183 144 12/1939 Mclntyre 273/108 x 3 Clalms, 5 Drawmg guns 2 3 J l1ll\|llll|lllllllllllllllllll"? 8 fi G T 3 In m 8 6 fi 3 1? fi Lu 6 m m. WWW ML. w I a Z. a a I W. I m m Z: 2 1 w nds J J @JIM L 4. 4\ 1 4 PJLTL SKI RACE GAME The field of the invention is toys not only for children but also for adults and particularly toy ski mechanisms. The prior art includes McIntyre US. Pat. No. 2,183,144, issued Dec. 12, 1939. The apparatus shown includes a human figure provided with scaled skis affixed thereto together with a ramp having a discontinuity therein. This and similar toys which have heretofore been provided have not met the demand for novel toy apparatus.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to provide a novel toy apparatus which is easy to manufacture and which is challenging to play.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention in one form a plurality of playing elements is provided. Each playing element has a representation of a human figure carried by a pair of elongated skis. Each of the skis is approximately the same scale as the figure and each ski has a pair of wheels disposed with the plane thereof in aligned relationship to the axis of elongated skis. One of the skis is substantially heavier than the other.

A first horizontal playing surface is provided together with a second playing surface inclined thereto. The second playing surface has a plurality of serpentine tracks disposed thereon which are sized for accommodating said skis.

In one form of the invention obstacles are provided on the first horizontal playing surface. The invention may also include a magnet disposed on the top of each of said playing elements and means for urging the playing elements to one area of the horizontal playing surface. The means may comprise a transverse ramp inclined to one area. A ski lift having a belt having a ferrous deposit thereon passes by the one area previously referred to and thence to the uppermost portion of the second playing surface for returning the figures to their initial playing position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which I regard as my invention it is believed that the invention will be better understood by the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the novel game apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an end view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the playing element to be used with the board apparatus shown;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the skis shown in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION or THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT While I have disclosed only one embodiment of my invention, it will be appreciated that many modifications thereof may be made by those skilled in the art. Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown the game board apparatus having a first playing surface 12 which is inclined very slightly to the horizontal.

Inclined thereto is asecondplaying surface '14 which a has ..a plurality of.,serpentine tracks 16 disposed,

BACKGROUND OF Tl-IE IN VENTIO N' thereon. .pisposed at the turns in the manner customarily provid ed on real slopes are flags and at the lower extremity of the serpentine track 16 are upstanding obstacles 20. Adjacent to the first playing surface is a transversely inclined ramp 30 for urging the playing elements to one area which in FIG. 2 is identified by the numeral 32. The one area 32 is proximate the ski lift which comprises a belt 34 carried by a plurality of pulleys 36. The exterior surface of the belt 34 is provided with a ferrous deposit (not shown) which as will be apparent hereafter is provided for engagement with a magnet disposed on the top of each playing element and which cooperates therewith to carry the playing elements to the top of the game board. The pulleys 36 are carried on individual towers 38 and one of the pulleys 36 is provided with a drive means comprising a belt 40, motor 42, and batteries 44. In one embodiment of the invention a transformer and rectifier 46 may be provided for alternatively powering a motor 42. A third playing surface 48 is disposed at the top of the second playing surface and is generally horizontal at the extremity thereof. An upstanding surface 50 carries a picture of people.

Retaining to FIGS. 4 and 5 there are shown playing elements 50 for use in cooperation with the apparatus 10. The playing elements 50 comprise a human figure representation 52 having a magnet 54 disposed at the top thereof and a pair of skis 56, 58 disposed at the bottom thereof. Each ski is provided with a pair of wheels carried for rotation about the axis thereof. The wheels are disposed with the general plane thereof in aligned relationship to the axis of the elongated skis 56, 58.

In operation there typically will be three players. Each player will choose a playing element 50 of a different color. All playing elements are positioned at the starting point on playing surface 48 at the very top of the second playing surface 14 without pushing. Each player has five turns to race down the inclined surfaces 14, 12 and is allowed only three falls. Any additional falls will disqualify the player. The first player to go over the finish line 60 and reach the ski lift without falling will receive one silver medal (not shown). At the end of the game the player with the most silver medals will receive a gold medal (not shown). In the case of a tie they will proceed to race one more time to find the winner for the gold medal.

Having herein described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A game having a plurality of playing elements, each said playing element being a representation of a human figure carried by a pair of elongated skis of approximately the same scale as said figure, each of said skis having a pair of wheels disposed along the longitudinal axis of said ski and in aligned relationship thereto, one of said skis of each pair being substantially heavier than the other, and a game board having a first playing surface substantially horizontal and a second playing surface inclined upwardly therefrom, said second surface having a plurality serpentine tracks disposed thereon, each of said tracks being sized for accommodating a pair of said skis.

2. The apparatus as described in claim 1 further including obstacles disposed on said first playing surface.

3. The apparatus as described in claim 1 further including a magnet disposed on the top of each of said 3,926,435 3 4 playing elements and means for urging said playing belt having a ferrous deposit thereon, said belt passing elements to one side of said horizontal playing surface from said one area to the uppermost portion of said comprising a transverse ramp inclined to said one area, second playing surface, and means for driving said belt. and a ski lift extending from said one side comprising a 5 

1. A game having a plurality of playing elements, each said playing element being a representation of a human figure carried by a pair of elongated skis of approximately the same scale as said figure, each of said skis having a pair of wheels disposed along the longitudinal axis of said ski and in aligned relationship thereto, one of said skis of each pair being substantially heavier than the other, and a game board having a first playing surface substantially horizontal and a second playing surface inclined upwardly therefrom, said second surface having a plurality serpentine tracks disposed thereon, each of said tracks being sized for accommodating a pair of said skis.
 2. The apparatus as described in claim 1 further including obstacles disposed on said first playing surface.
 3. The apparatus as described in claim 1 further including a magnet disposed on the top of each of said playing elements and means for urging said playing elements to one side of said horizontal playing surface comprising a transverse ramp inclined to said one area, and a ski lift extending from said one side comprising a belt having a ferrous deposit thereon, sAid belt passing from said one area to the uppermost portion of said second playing surface, and means for driving said belt. 